Portable recirculating hydrotherapy apparatus for bathtub



W. E. LLOYD PORTABLE RECIRCULATING HYDROTHERAP! APPARATUS FOR BATHTUB 2 SheetsShee't l Filed Deo. S, 3.964

W. E. LLOYD PORTABLE RECIRCULATING HYDROTHEHAPY APPARATUS FOR BATHTUB 7 6 w @u 11 a 2, a 2 ww d y 2 Sheets-Sheet United States Patent O 3,336,921 PORTABLE RECIRCULATING HYDROTHERAPY APPARATUS FOR BATHTUB William E. Lloyd, 3076 East 4430 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117 Filed Dec. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 416,792 7 Claims. (Cl. 12S-66) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE the delivery of water from said impeller to and through said assembly, said nozzle assembly having a ball surface at the inward end thereof, means mounted to encompass said ball to frictionally engage said ball surface to adjustably lock the nozzle and a snorkel tube disposed within said housing having communication with said nozzle assembly.

This invention relates to portable Whirlpool bath and hydrotherapy apparatus, utilizing a submersible electric motor driven sump pump principle. The improved resultant of the present invention is the utilization of such ya pump for hydrotherapy purposes whereby the unit recirculates, aerates and helps to maintain the temperature of water in hip and foot tanks. Within the purview of the invention is `a unique peripheral water volume control valve, an air volume -control valve and a variable direction-al water flow control assembly.

The purpose of this type of modality is to utilize circulating, aerated generally warm water for the purpose of stimulating local blood circulation where applied and the lymphatic circulation of the body where applied, helping to reduce muscle spasm and pain through deep heat penetration and assisting the retrogression of inflammatory processes, improving tissue oxidation, effecting a gentle massage and creating a passive exercise effect thereby helping to bring about improved muscle tone, the modality having use in hospitals, clinics, doctors oces, nursing homes, geriatric homes, physical therapy clinics, rehabilit-ation centers, athletic clubs, athletic departments and in the home.

The object of this invention is to provide an etlicient compactly designed, light weight and portable whirlpool bath and hydrotherapy apparatus comprised of relatively few parts, with a minimum of moving parts, thereby creating a unit which is easily disassembled, maintained and sterilized. The functional design is such that the water flow chambers are smooth and unobstructed, preventing the accumulation of foreign materials, thereby making the unit, for all practical purposes, self-cleaning.

A further object of the invention is to provide a circulator pump of the type described having a nozzle assembly which is rotatable in a universal joint-like arrangement `with respect to said assembly and so formed and disposed with respect to the pumping element that it will remain in any given position of adjustment without any tendency to be moved therefrom by reaction force of the outlet flow from the nozzle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a circulator pump having an adjust-ably positioned nozzle assembly embodying a novel release screw cap in order to permit movement ofthe nozzle.

A further object of this invention is to provide an unusual directional water flow device which also forms part of the venturi system. This device is primarily cornprised of a partial ball, nozzle with extension, Teflon seals, flexible tube, flange plate 'and adjustable tension cap nut. This innovation facilitates the directional flow of water back and forth, up and down, or ina rotating m0- tion in excess of degrees without any loss in water volume or air induction volume at any water volume setting .or air volume setting. This innovation makes it easy to effect massage patterns in the water receptacles and upon different parts of the human anatomy. It `also helps to facilitate multiple interchangeable nozzles for a broad application of water effects. It is so designed that the lock-on cap nut is adjustable in combination with Teflon seals to `adjust the tension in the moving of the nozzle. The Teilon seals `are long wearing, self sealing and. prevent wear from metal on metal contact. The flexible tube is so designed as to form part of the venturi system as well `as havingr 'a firming effect :of the moving of the nozzle. The design is such that the nozzle also forms a part of the venturi system, as well as a receptacle and an anchor for the flexible tube. The design of the iiexible tube in combination with the anchor principle of the nozzle assures a constant water flow, preventing the collapsing of the llexible tube, regardless of the positi-on of the nozzle.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide in association with the inlet side of a pump of the type described ingenious means for filtering the water delivered to the pumping element including a snap-on aperture screen.

A further object of this invention is to provide a sealed compartment comprised of top, shroud, base and appropriate seals, which will keep water from surrounding the sealed submersible motor. This innovation will provide a double measure of protection land also prevent foreign material, natural to water in hydrotherapy uses, from collecting on the motor shell, thereby facilitating the sterilization of the unit.

A further object of this invention is to provide an unusual peripheral water volume control valve, which is an independent rotating section of the volute chamber Wall, and allows an accurate, non-fluctuating, free-flow water volume setting.

Other objects and benefits will be disclosed in the following descriptions and drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a view in perspective;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View of the pump ofthe invention, the motor housing being shown in side elevation; and,

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2 showing the unique valving arrangement.

Now, turning to the drawings, particular attention is directed to FIGURE l showing the assembly of the present invention by reference numeral 1t). lt will, iirst of all, be appreciated that the device is a completely enclosed, attractive looking unit being constructed preferably of metal for strength purposes. The metal should be a rust resistant metal. However, other materials of construction should not be ruled out in the fabrication of the external or internal portions of the device of the present invention.

It will be seen that the device 10 has a generally elongated, tubular housing 11. This housing 11 contains an electric motor which is suitably wired by electric conduit 12. It will be noted that electric conduit 12 passes through a vertical orifice in handle 13 which is aflixed to cover 14 in an attractive `Hush-like manner. Screws 15 through the handle make suitable contact with cover 14 which is, itself, suitably secured in a watertight manner by means of screw 16.

At the opposite end of handle 13 an air hole 17 is provided. The air hole is the end of a snorkel-like tube, more about which will be said below. Within the confines of handle 13 in the flow conduit beyond air hole 17, a plug valve is positioned which is controlled externally by means of knurled knob 18.

Below the housing 11 is positioned the impeller housing 21 which is suitably secured to the housing 11 directly and above by 4means of grooves and O-ringsl providing a waterti-ght t. In the forward facing part of impeller housing 21 one can see a knurled, truncated screw cap 22 which has a centrally positioned `opening filled by the rounded end portion 23 of nozzle 24 extending away from the device 10. Below the screw cap 22 is a lever 25 adapted to reciprocate within slot 26 and further adapted to be moved as by pedipulation.

It will be further noted that the device 1d stands on a plurality of feet, one of which 21' can be seen in FIG- URE 1.

The device as shown in FIGURE l provides a unitary structure immersible in a tub of water for practically its entire extent so that only the air hole 17 may be above the water level.

For more specific rendition of the unique invention, attention is now directed to FIGURE 2 which shows the device of the present invention in partial cross-section illustrating the various component features. `Returning once again to the upper reaches of the device and in particular to handle 13, one can see air hole 17 with greater clarity as it traverses through handle 13 and past plug valve 31. It will be noted that plug valve 31 in FIGURE 2 is in the fully opened position. Plug valve 31 is of a conventional type having suitable O-rings 32 and 33. Air hole 17 is in communication with the open portion of snorkel tube 34 which passes vertically downwardly to be connected with a portion of the impeller housing 21. A chamber 35 defined in the impeller housing surrounds concentrically a flexible tube 36. Tube 36 is constructed of rubber, which may be synthetic rubber, and has raised external threads around the periphery thereof with a plurality of wires in order to give flexibility and high strength characteristics.

On the face of impeller housing 21 is mounted a flanged, circular unit 37. This unit may be secured to the impeller housing as by screw means 38. The unit has a horizontally extending portion 39 having screw threads 40 on the outer periphery. The forwardly-most extending portion of unit 37 has a shouldered recess 41 into which is positioned two separate seals 42 and 43. These seals may be made of Teflon or nylon and are annular in configuration. It will be noted that they surround the rounded portion 23 of the nozzle 24. The rounded portion 23 is hollow, of a larger diameter than the flexible tube 36. The interior of the rounded portion has four slots 44, for example, to provide passageways for the air supply. A lip 4S acts as an anchor for the flexible tube, and in combination with water and air pressure keeps the flexible tube from collapsing.

Attention is now directed to the water impelling means including rnotor 51 in housing 11, which is suitably mounted on the impeller housing 21 by screw means and the like. On the downwardly extending shaft 52 of motor 51 an impeller 53 is suitably splined. It will be noted that the volute chamber is formedon the upper part by the motor mounting means 54 and by a horizontally disposed bottom 55 in the impeller housing 21. Centrally of bottom 55 is an opening 56 through which water is sucked. A flange extension 57 of an annular configuration surrounds -opening S6 and is of a slightly lar-ger diameter. About flange 57, which is downwardly extending, a screen 58 having a cap-like configuration is snapped by constructing the cap 58 of suitably sized resilient material. The screen cap 58 filters the water entering the impeller and may be easily removed for cleaning purposes.

Due to feet 21', a space is provided between the lowermost bottom of the impeller housing 21 and the floor upon which the device 1t) rests.

The motor 51 drives the impeller 53 thereby forcing water through an opening 6ft in the volute chamber through flexible tube 36, thereby producing a venturi effect drawing air into the device through air slots 44, and ultimately through air hole 17, and expelling the thereby mixed air and water through the forward part of nozzle 24 in a jet-like stream.

in order to control the quantity of water being forced through volute opening 60, a valve 61 is provided just forward of the volute opening 6d. The valve has a crescent-like shape in cross-section, as can be seen in FIG- URE 3. The valve is suitably keyed to shaft 62 which is journaled vertically in the impeller housing 21. In order to rotate shaft 62, a lever 25 is perpendicularly mounted to shaft 62 and extends horizontally through slot 26 in the impeller housing 21. A movement through an arc of approximately degrees effects the suitable rotation in the volute chamber of valve 61 so that either the wide face of the valve is presented to the through-put of the water through volute opening 60 yor the thinner portion of valve 61 is presented, thereby permitting maximum through-put of the water being impelled by impeller 53.

In order to provide for directional control of nozzle 24, screw cap 22 is loosened from unit 37, since the inner, hollow portion of screw cap 22 has opposite threads to threads itl of unit 37. When the screw cap has been loosened, the -pressure of the inner periphery of the opening in the screw cap 22 is released about rounded portion 23 of nozzle 24, thereby .permitting nozzle 24 to be universally rotated. When a selected position has been achieved, screw cap 22 is then suitably rotated to tighten itself about rounded portion 23 of nozzle 24 in order to wedge lock the nozzle into a fixed position.

It will be apparent that lmany changes and modifications of the several features described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. lt is therefore apparent that the foregoing description is by way of illustration of the invention rather than limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Hydrotherapy apparatus of the self-contained type comprising a housing, an impeller disposed therein for rotation, passageway means defined in said housing and disposed beneath the level `of said impeller, a nozzle assembly adjustably mounted on said housing in the same plane as said impeller, intercommunicating passageway means defined in said nozzle housing and said assembly adapted for the delivery of water from said impeller t0 and through said assembly, said nozzle assembly having a ball surface at the inward end thereof, means imounted to encompass said ball to frictionally engage said ball surface, and a snorkel tube disposed in said housing and having communication with said nozzle assembly.

2. Hydrotherapy apparatus comprising a housing, an impeller disposed therein for rotation, passageway means defined in said housing and disposed beneath the level of said impeller, a removable screen cap transversely in said passageway, a nozzle assembly adjustably mounted on said housing in the same horizontal plane as said impeller, intercommunicating passageway means defined in said housing and said assembly adapted for the delivery of water from said impeller to and through said assembly, said nozzle assembly having a ball surface at the inward end thereof, means mounted to encompass said ball to frictionally engage said ball surface, and a snorkel tube in said housing having communication with said nozzel assembly.

3. Hydrotherapy apparatus comprising a housing, an impeller disposed therein for rotation, passageway means defined in said housing and disposed beneath the level of said impeller, a removable screen cap transversely in said passageway, a nozzle assembly adjustably mounted on said housing in the same horizontal plane as said impeller, interoommunicating passageway fmeans defined in said housing and said assembly adapted for the delivery of water from said impeller to and through said assembly, said nozzle assembly having a ball surface at the inward end thereof, means mounted to encompass said ball to frictionally engage said ball surface, a snorkel tube in said housing having communication with said nozzle assembly, and said interconnnunicating passageway including a flexible tube.

4. Hydrotherapy apparatus comprising a housing, an impeller disposed therein for rotation, passageway means defined in said housing and disposed beneath the level of said impeller a removable screen cap transversely in said passageway, a nozzle assembly adjustably mounted on said housing in the same horizontal plane as said impeller, intercommunicating passageway means defined in said housing and said assembly adapted for the delivery of water from said impeller to and through said assembly, said nozzle assembly having a ball surface at the inward end thereof, means mounted to encompass said ball to frictionally engage said ball surface, a snorkel tube in said housing having communication with said nozzle assembly, said intercommunicating passageway including a flexible tube, said tube terminating within said nozzle assembly, and a venturi passageway in said nozzle assembly.

5. Hydrotherapy apparatus comprising a housing, an impeller disposed therein for rotation, passageway means defined in said housing and disposed beneath the level of said impeller, a removable screen cap transversely in said passageway, a nozzle assembly a-djustably mounted on said housing in the same horizontal plane as said impeller, intercommunicating passageway means defined in said housing and said assembly adapted for the delivery of water from said impeller to and through said assembly, said nozzle assembly having a ball surface at the inward end thereof, means mounted to encompass said ball to frictionally engage said Iball surface, a snorkel tube in said housing having communication with said nozzle assembly, said intercommunicating passageway including a flexible tube, said tube terminating within said nozzle assembly, a venturi passageway in said nozzle assembly and a valve disposed in said intercommunicating passageway between said impeller and said exible tube.

6. Hydrotherapy apparatus of the self-contained type as defined in claim 1, with said intercommunicating pas sageway including a flexible tube, said tube terminating within said nozzle assembly.

7. Hydrotherapy apparatus as defined in claim 6, further including a Venturi passageway in said nozzle assembly, and adjustable valve means disposed in said intercommunicating passageway between said impeller and said flexible tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,272,585 2/1942 Rocke l28-66 X 2,738,787 3/1956 Jacuzzi et al. 12S-66 3,271,790 9/ 1966 Schnider et al. 128-66 3,273,560 9/1966 Jacuzzi a- 12S- 66 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. L. W. TRAPP. Assistant Examiner. 

1. HYDROTHERAPY APPARATUS OF THE SELF-CONTAINED TYPE COMPRISING A HOUSING, AN IMPELLER DISPOSED THEREIN FOR ROTATION, PASSAGEWAY MEANS DEFINED IN SAID HOUSING AND DISPOSED BENEATH THE LEVEL OF SAID IMPELLER, A NOZZLE ASSEMBLY ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING IN THE SAME PLANE AS SAID IMPELLER, INTERCOMMUNICATING PASSAGEWAY MEANS DEFINED IN SAID NOZZLE HOUSING AND SAID ASSEMBLY ADAPTED FOR THE DELIVERY OF WATER FROM SAID IMPELLER TO AND THROUGH SAID ASSEMBLY, SAID NOZZLE ASSEMBLY HAVING A BALL SURFACE AT THE INWARD END THEREOF, MEANS MOUNTED 